TruePresence Developer Reference

In a certain forest there lived a mighty Lion, whose roar shook the very earth and whose mane was as golden as the sun. One day, as he rested beneath the shade of a great oak tree, a tiny Mouse, scurrying hither and thither in search of grain, accidentally ran across the Lion's face. Startled from his slumber, the great beast awoke in fury and seized the tiny creature in his mighty paw.

The Mouse, trembling with terror, cried out in a voice high and pleading: "Great Lion, I beg your mercy! I am but a small and insignificant creature, too little to provide any nourishment for a beast of your magnificence. I ran upon your face by accident and not from any intention to disturb your rest. If you will but spare my life, I swear upon my tiny existence that I shall repay your kindness should ever the occasion arise."

The Lion, amused by the Mouse's words and his obvious sincerity despite his great fear, laughed with a sound like thunder. More than this, he felt a strange kinship with this tiny creature who dared to speak to him with such honest directness, undiminished by terror. The Lion found himself charmed by the Mouse's spirit, and released the creature unharmed, forming in that moment an unexpected friendship.

Many weeks passed, during which the Lion and the Mouse spent time together, talking and sharing their thoughts. The Mouse learned of the great lion's secret sorrows and the weight of his position as king of beasts. The Lion, in turn, came to appreciate the Mouse's courage and the wisdom that sometimes dwells in small bodies.

Then, the Lion became ensnared in a great net set by hunters. The Mouse, hearing his friend's terrible cries of distress, came running with all speed. The Mouse set to work with his small teeth, gnawing through the cords of the net, strand by strand. At last the bonds parted, and the mighty Lion was freed.

The Lion embraced his friend with gratitude and tenderness, understanding that true friendship transcends differences in size and station. The unlikely companions remained friends throughout their lives, a testament to the truth that friendliness of spirit creates bonds stronger than any external distinctions.

Among the Greek heroes besieging Troy, none was closer than Achilles and his companion Patroclus. While Homer's text remains somewhat ambiguous about the nature of their relationship, later Greek writers understood their bond as the deepest form of friendship—an attachment so profound that each would sacrifice everything for the other. When Achilles had quarreled with Agamemnon and withdrawn from battle in anger, leaving the Greeks vulnerable, Patroclus served as his emotional anchor and voice of reason.

When the Trojans began gaining ground and Achilles' Greek comrades fell in desperate combat, Patroclus could no longer bear his separation from the fighting. He approached Achilles and begged permission to wear his armor and fight, arguing that his presence might restore Greek morale even if he was not Achilles himself. Though Achilles feared for his friend's safety, he granted permission, illustrating the nature of true friendship: a genuine concern for the friend's welfare combined with respect for his autonomous choices and dignity.

When Hector slew Patroclus in combat, Achilles' grief transcended normal sorrow. He wept uncontrollably, fell silent for days, and his mourning manifested in his subsequent pursuit of Hector with unquenchable fury. Yet more profoundly, Achilles' friendship with Patroclus revealed itself in actions: he fought magnificently not for personal glory but to honor his fallen friend, he wept by Patroclus' tomb, and he ensured that their ashes were buried together. Friendliness—the virtue of genuine affection and loyalty between equals—stands as one of the noblest dimensions of human connection, transcending mere advantage or obligation to touch something sacred in the human heart.

A poor widow lives in a cottage with her two daughters, Snow White and Rose Red, named for the colors of the roses in her garden. The girls are devoted to each other and to their mother, living simply but contentedly.

One winter evening, a large brown bear seeks shelter from the cold. The girls, showing kindness to the creature, allow him to warm himself by their fire. Each night, the bear returns, and the girls come to love him. Their mother, fearing danger, cautions them, but the bear proves gentle and loyal.

When spring arrives, the bear reluctantly departs, explaining he must guard his treasure from a wicked dwarf. In the forest, the girls encounter the dwarf repeatedly: caught under a rock, trapped by his beard in a tree, and nearly drowning in a stream. Each time, the girls rescue him with patience and friendliness, though the dwarf remains ungrateful and rude.

At last, they discover the dwarf has been guarding the bear's treasure. The girls strike the dwarf down in righteous anger. The bear, his curse broken, transforms into a handsome prince. He reveals a wicked sorcerer had enchanted him, and only the kindness of gentle maidens could break the spell.

The prince marries Snow White, his brother marries Rose Red, and their mother lives with them in the prince's castle. The girls' friendliness—their willingness to show kindness even to those who were ungrateful—proved redemptive. Their warm hearts transformed both the bear and the forest.

Benjamin Franklin was born in 1706 in Boston and became one of America's most accomplished figures: a printer, author, scientist, diplomat, and founding father. Beyond his numerous achievements, Franklin demonstrated the virtue of friendliness—the ability to create genuine human connections that advanced both personal and civic wellbeing. Franklin's approach to friendships was deliberate and systematic. He valued friendships as essential to individual flourishing and community prosperity. He invested significant time and effort in cultivating relationships, corresponding extensively with friends and deliberately seeking out intelligent, interesting people. He formed intellectual societies and clubs, including the Junto, a group of young tradesmen who met regularly to discuss ideas, debate issues, and advance practical projects. The Junto exemplified Franklin's belief that friendships could serve collective purposes while enriching individual lives. Through the Junto, Franklin and his friends created Philadelphia's first library, organized fire companies, and initiated civic improvements. Franklin's friendliness was remarkable in an era of significant class distinction. He moved comfortably among mechanics and workingmen while also engaging with educated professionals and elite society. He valued people based on their character and intelligence rather than their social status. He maintained friendships across occupational and educational boundaries. Franklin's approach to friendships emphasized mutual benefit and shared purpose. He believed that true friends supported one another's advancement while maintaining independence. He offered practical assistance to friends, lending money, providing recommendations, and offering advice. He expected reciprocal support and was willing to help friends pursue their interests. His friendships often involved intellectual exchange, with friends debating ideas and challenging one another's thinking. Franklin's approach to friendship extended to his diplomatic work. During the Revolutionary War, he served as America's representative in France. His skill at cultivating friendships with French political and intellectual leaders proved crucial to securing French support for American independence. He became enormously popular in Paris, recognized for his scientific contributions and his genuine interest in French culture and people. His friendliness enabled him to build the diplomatic relationships essential to American success. Franklin believed that cultivating friendships developed moral character. Through interaction with diverse people, one learned empathy, patience, and understanding. Through mutual support, one learned generosity and reliability. Franklin's deliberate cultivation of friendships represented his belief that these relationships were essential to both individual virtue and societal progress. His life demonstrates that friendliness—the genuine cultivation of human connection—enriches both personal life and enables civic achievement.